The spousal unit and myself had our consult with Dr. Green, the radiation oncologist at U.T. Medical Center today. Of course, I wanted to hear what he said..but most of the information I had already learned from researching hours a day for 3 weeks. He has done over 1600 cases of brachytherapy, with Palladium seed implants, and has very good success. We had already decided that unless he presented some good reason from reviewing my file on surgery, that was the treatment option we wanted. So, was very glad to hear about that ! He is reporting that in his own experience, he has seen a 90-95% cure rate. I go in for the volume study on Dec 23rd. Of course, the down side is not knowing for 2 years whether or not it worked..but I can live with that.

Glad you got such good news. With your stats I would expect brachy should work great and you will have a cancer free life.

BTW, the volume study was my least favorite part of the whole journey...if you recall that part of my story. It was the only part where I was not sedated and I'm sure that was part of the problem. So, I would recommend that you at least take a couple of pills to mellow you out and keep you from puckering up like I did! Then the rest of the process will be a breeze.

The volume study probably wasn’t at the top of your ‘wish list’ to Santa but it will be nice to get it over with before the Xmas holidays. Then try and put it all out of your mind until the implant.Wishing you all the best for the 23rd, your Brachy implant and for a very happy and healthy 2012.SusanxHusband's age 62Excellent healthFirst PSA test - 7Two months later - 11Biopsy results: Gleason 3+3 in two cores (right medial 30% and right apex 90%)Small benign-feeling prostatePSA resultsDec 2010 - 11Feb 2011 – Brachytherapy – Iodine 125May 2011 - 3.83Aug 2011 - 3.18Nov 2011 – 1.78

I hope the volume study is a non event for you. Hopefully they give you something (I would ask for something). Best of luck as you complete this phase of your journey. I was a relief to me to finally make a decision and have that out of the way.Click here for My Journey from biopsy to decision to have seedsAge 61 PSA 4.3 9/10PSA 6.73 5/18/11Template Biopsy GS6(3+3)Stage T1CCT neg4/14/11 Met w/ Dr Crum - Urologist5/4/11 Met w/Dr. Wehle Mayo Urologist5/17/11 Met Dr. Buskirk Mayo r/o6/13/11 Met w/ Dr Terk at FROG-seed consult8/5/11 87 I-125 seeds.

I keep hearing the quote from several forum members that their numbers didn't add up for Brachy. I have no idea what this means as the only restrictions I have seen for not doing Brachy is pubic arch interferance, which can only be determined by a CT scan, or the presence of a systemic disease in which no local therapy alone would be appropriate. Exixting urinary issues such as strictures can also disqualify a patient. Gleason grade is not a reason for rejection as both Dr Grimm and Dr Dattoli have reported cure rates above 80% for high risk cases; Grimm uses Brachy alone and Dattoli uses combo Brachy/IMRT for high risk cases.Only a Brachytherapist can make the determination if you are a candidate for Brachy.JohnT66 years old, rising psa for 10 years from 4 to 40; 12 biopsies and MRIS all negative. Oct 2009 DXed with G6 <5%. Color Doppler biopsy found 2.5 cm G4+3. Combidex clear. Seeds and IMRT, 4 weeks of urinary frequency and urgency; no side affects since then. 2 years of psa's all at 0.1.